<big><font color="000000"><big><b>Is Russell Wilson one of the best-ever rookie quarterbacks?</b></big>
Rookie quarterback Russell Wilson has proven that he deserves the starting spot on the Seahawks. Ten games through the season, he has been one of the NFL's top performers several different weeks, has led a few exciting late-game comebacks, and has thrown 11 touchdowns but no interceptions at home.
He has a whopping 122.0 passer rating at CenturyLink Field, leading the Seahawks as they've remained undefeated at home this season. But Wilson has struggled on the road, throwing twice as many interceptions as touchdowns while in enemy territory, and earning a strikingly lower passer rating of 65.8 on the road.
Just how good is Russell Wilson? How good is he in the bigger picture? Here's a look at him and how he compares to 20 of the other best rookie-season quarterbacks in pro-football history.</font></big>
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<big><font color="000000"><big><b>Is Russell Wilson one of the best-ever rookie quarterbacks?</b></big>
Rookie quarterback Russell Wilson has proven that he deserves the starting spot on the Seahawks. Ten ... more

Photo: Christian Petersen / Getty Images

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<big><font color="000000"><b>21. Bob Griese</b> | Miami Dolphins, 1967 | passer rating: 61.6
Back in the late '60s, in his rookie year in South Florida, quarterback Bob Griese threw 15 touchdowns to 18 interceptions – not exactly the ratio you'd want. Though he started his storied NFL career with a completion percentage of 50.2 and a passer rating of 61.6, and though the Dolphins went just 4-10 that season, Griese eventually led Miami to three straight Super Bowl appearances and two victories.</font></big>
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<big><font color="000000"><b>21. Bob Griese</b> | Miami Dolphins, 1967 | passer rating: 61.6
Back in the late '60s, in his rookie year in South Florida, quarterback Bob Griese threw 15 touchdowns to 18 ... more

Photo: Andy Hayt / Getty Images

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<big><font color="000000"><b>20. Vince Young</b> | Tennessee Titans, 2006 | passer rating: 66.7
In his rookie season, Vince Young was named the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year and was named to the Pro Bowl. In 2006, he threw 12 touchdowns to 13 interceptions, and finished his rookie year with a 66.7 passer rating as the Titans went 8-8. So far, by the numbers, Russell Wilson is performing better as a rookie.</font></big>
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<big><font color="000000"><b>20. Vince Young</b> | Tennessee Titans, 2006 | passer rating: 66.7
In his rookie season, Vince Young was named the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year and was named to the Pro ... more

Photo: Paul Spinelli / Getty Images

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<big><font color="000000"><b>19. Rick Mirer</b> | Seattle Seahawks, 1993 | passer rating: 67.0
The last time the Seahawks started a rookie quarterback all season, it was some guy named Rick Mirer. In 1993, he set rookie records for passing attempts, completions and yards, throwing 12 touchdowns and 17 interceptions that season. He finished completing 56.4 percent of his passes and had a passer rating of 67.0 as the Seahawks went 6-10.</font></big>
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<big><font color="000000"><b>19. Rick Mirer</b> | Seattle Seahawks, 1993 | passer rating: 67.0
The last time the Seahawks started a rookie quarterback all season, it was some guy named Rick Mirer. In 1993, ... more

Photo: George Rose / Getty Images

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<big><font color="000000"><b>18. Joe Namath</b> | New York Jets, 1965 | passer rating: 68.7
Even the great Joe Namath was a rookie once. In 1965, after being selected by the Jets with the first-overall AFL draft pick, he threw 18 touchdowns and 15 interceptions, completing just 48.2 percent of his passes. Namath finished with a passer rating of 68.7 and was named to the Pro Bowl that season.</font></big>
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<big><font color="000000"><b>18. Joe Namath</b> | New York Jets, 1965 | passer rating: 68.7
Even the great Joe Namath was a rookie once. In 1965, after being selected by the Jets with the first-overall AFL ... more

Photo: Getty Images

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<big><font color="000000"><b>17. Peyton Manning</b> | Indianapolis Colts, 1998 | passer rating: 71.2
In 1998, his rookie season, Peyton Manning threw 26 touchdowns but led the NFL with 28 interceptions. That could be partly because he also led the league in passing attempts, completing 56.7 percent of his 575 attempts. Manning finished that first season of his Hall of Fame-worthy career with a 71.2 passer rating.</font></big>
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<big><font color="000000"><b>16. Bob Waterfield</b> | Cleveland Rams, 1945 | passer rating: 72.4
The great Bob Waterfield wasn't just a quarterback, he was also the Rams' kicker and punter. (It was a different era.) Despite that, he led the league in his rookie season with 14 touchdowns, but also with 17 interceptions. He finished the year completing 52.0 percent of his passes, had a 72.4 passer rating and was named First Team All-Pro in the NFL.</font></big>
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<big><font color="000000"><b>16. Bob Waterfield</b> | Cleveland Rams, 1945 | passer rating: 72.4
The great Bob Waterfield wasn't just a quarterback, he was also the Rams' kicker and punter. (It was a ... more

Photo: Hulton Archive / Getty Images

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<big><font color="000000"><b>15. Johnny Unitas</b> | Baltimore Colts, 1956 | passer rating: 74.0
Before he was named to 10 Pro Bowls, in his rookie season Johnny Unitas threw nine touchdowns and 10 interceptions for coach Weeb Ewbank's Baltimore Colts. Though he would become remembered as one of the game's best-ever quarterbacks, he put up modest numbers his first year, completing 55.6 percent of his passes and finishing with a 74.0 passer rating.</font></big>
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<big><font color="000000"><b>15. Johnny Unitas</b> | Baltimore Colts, 1956 | passer rating: 74.0
Before he was named to 10 Pro Bowls, in his rookie season Johnny Unitas threw nine touchdowns and 10 ... more

Photo: Jed Jacobsohn / Getty Images

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<big><font color="000000"><b>14. Fran Tarkenton</b> | Minnesota Vikings, 1961 | passer rating: 74.7
The first year of his 13-season career saw Fran Tarkenton throw 18 touchdowns and 17 interceptions as the Vikings went 3-11 that season. He had a completion percentage of 56.1 and a passer rating of 74.7, starting 10 of Minnesota's 14 games that year.</font></big>
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<big><font color="000000"><b>14. Fran Tarkenton</b> | Minnesota Vikings, 1961 | passer rating: 74.7
The first year of his 13-season career saw Fran Tarkenton throw 18 touchdowns and 17 interceptions as the ... more

Photo: Cindy Ord / Getty Images

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<big><font color="000000"><b>13. Sam Bradford</b> | St. Louis Rams, 2010 | passer rating: 76.5
Coming straight out of Oklahoma to become St. Louis' starting quarterback his rookie year, Sam Bradford threw 18 touchdowns and 15 interceptions in 2010 as the Rams went 7-9. His completion percentage of 60.0 ranks him high among all-time rookie QBs, and he managed a passer rating of 76.5 that year.</font></big>
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<big><font color="000000"><b>12. Andrew Luck</b> | Indianapolis Colts, 2012 | passer rating: 79.1<br/>— <em>through nine games so far this season</em> —
Andrew Luck went to Indy with the first overall pick in April's NFL draft and has since proven his worth. Through nine games so far, he has led a huge turnaround for the Colts, who are now 6-3 after going 2-14 last season. Luck has thrown 10 touchdowns to nine interceptions, is completing 57.5 percent of his attempts and has a passer rating of 79.1 so far.</font></big>
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<big><font color="000000"><b>11. Joe Flacco</b> | Baltimore Ravens, 2008 | passer rating: 80.3
Joe Flacco may still being trying to prove himself as an elite NFL quarterback, but his career got off to a great start in 2008. He went 11-5 as a rookie, throwing 14 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, and completed 60.0 percent of his passing attempts. Flacco finished his rookie year with a passer rating of 80.3 — just missing the top 10 in this list.</font></big>
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<big><font color="000000"><b>11. Joe Flacco</b> | Baltimore Ravens, 2008 | passer rating: 80.3
Joe Flacco may still being trying to prove himself as an elite NFL quarterback, but his career got off to a ... more

Photo: Chris McGrath / Getty Images

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<big><font color="000000"><b>10. Andy Dalton</b> | Cincinnati Bengals, 2011 | passer rating: 80.4
The Bengals selected him in the second round with the 35th overall pick of the 2011 NFL draft, and Andy Dalton led Cincinnati to a 9-7 record his rookie season. In 2011, he threw 20 touchdowns and 13 interceptions, completing 58.1 percent of his passing attempts and finishing the season with an 80.4 passer rating. And he has improved in 2012.</font></big>
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<big><font color="000000"><b>10. Andy Dalton</b> | Cincinnati Bengals, 2011 | passer rating: 80.4
The Bengals selected him in the second round with the 35th overall pick of the 2011 NFL draft, and Andy ... more

Photo: Jason Miller / Getty Images

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<big><font color="000000"><b>9. Charlie Batch</b> | Detroit Lions, 1998 | passer rating: 83.5
Charlie Batch may not be the best quarterback the NFL has ever known, but he did well his rookie season in Detroit. He threw 11 touchdowns to six interceptions in 1998 as the Lions went 5-11. Batch completed 57.1 percent of his passes and finished his rookie year with a passer rating of 83.5.</font></big>
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<big><font color="000000"><b>9. Charlie Batch</b> | Detroit Lions, 1998 | passer rating: 83.5
Charlie Batch may not be the best quarterback the NFL has ever known, but he did well his rookie season in ... more

Photo: Getty Images

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<big><font color="000000"><b>8. Charlie Conerly</b> | New York Giants, 1948 | passer rating: 84.0
We couldn't find a photo of Charlie Conerly we had the rights to republish, but this football legend started his pro career with a bang. In 1948, he was named the NFL's Rookie of the Year after throwing 22 touchdowns and 13 interceptions for the Giants. In an era when 50 percent was stellar, he completed 54.2 percent of his passes that year and finished his rookie campaign with an 84.0 passer rating.</font></big>
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<big><font color="000000"><b>8. Charlie Conerly</b> | New York Giants, 1948 | passer rating: 84.0
We couldn't find a photo of Charlie Conerly we had the rights to republish, but this football legend started ... more

Photo: Chris Graythen / Getty Images

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<big><font color="000000"><b>7. Cam Newton</b> | Carolina Panthers, 2011 | passer rating: 84.5
When you think of huge rookie seasons – at least those within recent memory – odds are Cam Newton's first year comes to mind. Last season, after being the first overall draft pick, he threw 21 touchdowns and 17 interceptions on his way to being named the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year. He led the Panthers to a 6-10 season in 2011, but completed 60.0 percent of his passes and finished with an 84.5 passer rating. Newton isn't doing quite as well this year, though.</font></big>
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<big><font color="000000"><b>6. Matt Ryan</b> | Atlanta Falcons, 2008 | passer rating: 87.7
Is it just me, or do rookie quarterbacks seem to be getting better these days? In 2008, Matt Ryan threw 16 touchdowns to 11 interceptions and completed 61.1 percent of his passes as Atlanta went 11-5. He's still leading the 8-1 Falcons this season, and with a 102.6 passer rating so far in 2012 has improved since finishing his rookie season with a 87.7 rating.</font></big>
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<big><font color="000000"><b>5. Greg Cook</b> | Cincinnati Bengals, 1969 | passer rating: 88.3
Poor Greg Cook. In 1969, he had one of the best rookie seasons a pro quarterback had ever had, leading the NFL with a 53.8 completion percentage and 9.4 yards per passing attempt. Cook threw 15 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, and finished the year with a passer rating of 88.3 – playing through a shoulder injury that ended up, after his rookie season, cutting short his NFL career. After 1969 he played just one more NFL game, in 1973, when he returned to Cincinnati for a few ceremonial snaps.</font></big>
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<big><font color="000000"><b>5. Greg Cook</b> | Cincinnati Bengals, 1969 | passer rating: 88.3
Poor Greg Cook. In 1969, he had one of the best rookie seasons a pro quarterback had ever had, leading the NFL ... more

Photo: Rob Carr / Getty Images

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<big><font color="000000"><b>4. Russell Wilson</b> | Seattle Seahawks, 2012 | passer rating: 90.5
—<em>through 10 games so far this season</em> —
And here we come to Russell Wilson. After 10 games this season so far, Wilson's overall passer rating of 90.5 lands him in the No. 4 spot of this list. Though he has performed much better at home than on the road, Wilson has led the Seahawks to a 6-4 record through this past Sunday. He has thrown 15 touchdowns to eight interceptions -- all of the INTs on the road -- and is completing 62.1 percent of his passing attempts so far. Wilson may have a passer rating of just 65.8 on the road, but his rating at CenturyLink Field is a stunning 122.0. Even as a rookie, there aren't many NFL quarterbacks who have been as good as Wilson at home.</font></big>
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<big><font color="000000"><b>4. Russell Wilson</b> | Seattle Seahawks, 2012 | passer rating: 90.5
—<em>through 10 games so far this season</em> —
And here we come to Russell Wilson. After 10 games this ... more

Photo: Stephen Brashear / Getty Images

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<big><font color="000000"><b>3. Robert Griffin III</b> | Washington Redskins, 2012 | passer rating: 93.9<br/>— <em>through nine games so far this season</em> —
Then there's Robert Griffin III, the second overall pick in this past April's NFL draft. He has been having one of the best rookie seasons in pro football history, coming in with a passer rating of 93.9 so far this year. He has thrown eight touchdowns and three interceptions, and is completing 65.6 percent of his passing attempts. Meanwhile, however, the Redskins are 3-6 on the season.</font></big>
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<big><font color="000000"><b>2. Dan Marino</b> | Miami Dolphins, 1983 | passer rating: 96.0
Dan Marino was a star straight out of the University of Pittsburgh, drafted with the 27th overall pick by the Dolphins. He spent all 17 years of his career in Miami, and his rookie season was just the beginning. On his way to the Pro Bowl in his first year, Marino threw 20 touchdowns to just six interceptions, completing a conference-leading 58.4 percent of his passes and finishing with a passer rating of 96.0. He is now remembered as one of the best NFL players of all time.</font></big>
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<big><font color="000000"><b>2. Dan Marino</b> | Miami Dolphins, 1983 | passer rating: 96.0
Dan Marino was a star straight out of the University of Pittsburgh, drafted with the 27th overall pick by the ... more

Photo: Rick Stewart / Allsport / Getty Images

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<big><font color="000000"><b>1. Ben Roethlisberger</b> | Pittsburgh Steelers, 2004 | passer rating: 98.1
Then there's big Ben Roethlisberger, who surged to the top of the NFL in his rookie year. He threw 17 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 2004 as he led the Steelers to a 15-1 record and an appearance in the AFC Championship game. As a rookie, he completed 66.4 percent of his passes and finished with a passer rating of 98.1 -- the best of everyone on this list. He was named Offensive Rookie of the Year, and has won two Super Bowls (including in 2005 against the Seahawks) in his accomplished football career.</font></big>
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<big><font color="000000"><b>1. Ben Roethlisberger</b> | Pittsburgh Steelers, 2004 | passer rating: 98.1
Then there's big Ben Roethlisberger, who surged to the top of the NFL in his rookie year. He threw 17 ... more